Buggin for Business

John Black Welcomes First GrandBABY!

2010-11-22T06:22:00.000-08:00

John Black welcomes his oldest daughter Lauren's first baby!!! Alexis Nicole DeAlto was born Novemeber 19, 2010 at 12:53am. Weighing in at 9lb 2oz - everyone is doing GREAT! JB returned from Atlanta with cigars in hand! Proud Granddaddy!

Gamecocks DEFEAT Alabama

2010-11-14T12:28:00.000-08:00

To quote John Love: "Unreal!" And "Unreal" it certainly was when the scoreboard flashed a final score of 35-21 between the South Carolina Gamecocks and the Alabama Crimson Tide this season! As a true University of South Carolina fan - John, of course, managed to arrage to do a littlle business in Cola for the BIGGEST game of the season. Our Gamecocks are unpredictable not only season-to-season, but game-to-game... Defeating then #1 Alabama on October 9, 2010 made it a "great day to be a Gamecock!" for sure!!!

Congrats Sandra and Robbie!!!

2010-11-14T12:14:00.001-08:00

Sweet baby Bella is due to grace us with her presence January 20th. Sandra and Robbie are very excited about welcoming their firstborn into the world! Princess Bella deserved nothing less than a stylish baby shower given by WELove employees the first week in November. We all wish Sandra and Robbie the best of luck and know that they will be wonderful parents! Sandra will be missed while on maternity leave - and we'll all be tappin' our toes anxiously awaiting her return!!!

John Love binds his 1st policy and bangs the gong

2010-04-22T14:02:00.001-07:00

Stratford visit

2010-03-18T07:05:00.000-07:00

Dave Hayward enjoys the comforts of W.E. Love. Keep up the good work guys.

CNA

2010-02-10T08:17:00.001-08:00

John Baskam with CNA visited our office today. Send us your intermodal submissions!

Promotions

2010-01-28T07:41:00.000-08:00

Congratulations to Derek (SVP of Operations), Paige (VP of Underwriting Operations), Sandra (VP of Finance) and Ed (SVP Underwriting)

Canal visit

2010-01-27T08:45:00.000-08:00

David and Tiana visited our office today.

Home at Last

2010-01-22T06:58:00.001-08:00

Finally, we made it back safely. We are in the office ready to do some real work.

Mission accomplished

2010-01-20T21:11:00.000-08:00

Finally, Eric had to step in and make things happen.

Pennsylvania

2010-01-20T08:09:00.000-08:00

Goods Insurance in Lancaster, PA

2010-01-19T18:57:00.001-08:00

Dan, Barbara and Diana Nguyen's (pronounced win) brought us to another Irish pub. I do believe a theme is developing here. And I'm not complaining.

HDH in Pittsburgh

2010-01-19T18:50:00.001-08:00

Gregg, Tony and Jim picked a great spot overlooking the city. And the food was great.

A Better Plan

2010-01-19T12:35:00.001-08:00

Jim Kelvington is a great agent and friend in Cleveland. As a hobby he makes wine stoppers and pens. Here is one he made for me. Thanks Jim. In this market, it is a plus to be multi talented

The Cadillacs does exist

2010-01-18T20:46:00.000-08:00

We finally found John's car at the North American International Auto show in Detroit. However, they wouldn't let us buy it.

Lafayette Coney Island

2010-01-18T20:42:00.000-08:00

John and Archie McIntire of Meadowbrook at a local Detroit favorite.

Lake Cadillac

2010-01-18T07:47:00.001-08:00

This tradition of mine isnt always easy

Cadillac, Mi

2010-01-18T07:44:00.001-08:00

A wonderful breakfast with Cadillac Insurance Group on Lake Cadillac. This is the only Cadillac John is going to see on this trip.

South Bend

2010-01-17T16:29:00.000-08:00

Touchdown!!!!

Indiana

2010-01-17T15:03:00.001-08:00

Chicago

2010-01-17T14:40:00.001-08:00

Lunch at the Weber Grill

2010-01-17T14:31:00.001-08:00

Bill Hunt of USI Midwest and the big red grill

2010-01-17T11:32:00.001-08:00

Patiently waiting for Bill Hunt

Brunch with CNA

2010-01-17T10:33:00.000-08:00

We had a wonderful Irish breakfast with Rebecca Larson to officially start the Buggin 2 adventure.

New car

2010-01-16T18:13:00.001-08:00

Check out John's new......Impala????

Not an Escalade

2010-01-16T10:12:00.000-08:00

The car is not here!!!!!!!

Lunch with Great American

2010-01-14T11:04:00.000-08:00

Chris Brandser with GAIC joined Steve, Ben and Eric for lunch. Thanks Chris! A great time as always.

Chicago to Burlington

2010-01-12T13:02:00.003-08:00

the itenerary is almost final. I can't believe we are going to Chicago in January

Buggin 2 ?????

2010-01-08T06:59:00.000-08:00

John is threatening to venture on another lengthy Buggin For Business trip. Just tell me we aren't going North. I hate the cold. Eric

WE Love Agents Gathering June 2009

2009-07-09T08:47:00.000-07:00

2009-07-09T08:43:00.000-07:00

2009-07-09T08:42:00.000-07:00

Kris, Paige, Erin and Paula

2009-07-09T08:39:00.000-07:00

2009-04-26T21:59:00.000-07:00

2009-04-26T21:58:00.000-07:00

I won't even try to describe the Grand Canyon. If you haven't been- go ahead and start planning your trip. Unbelievable.

2009-04-26T21:55:00.000-07:00

Meteor crater in AZ. Pictures do not do justice.

2009-04-26T21:53:00.000-07:00

Great job John- it only took 2300 miles.

2009-04-26T21:52:00.000-07:00

Tumbleweed in NM

2009-04-26T21:51:00.000-07:00

Thanks to Kelly and Kenny of Southwest Truck Insurance for meeting us on a Saturday in Alburqurque, NM.

2009-04-26T21:48:00.000-07:00

Of course, John was driving and I took the pic.

2009-04-26T21:47:00.000-07:00

Hereford, TX- 3.5 million cows = Stinky

2009-04-24T05:20:00.000-07:00

We had to "debug" the bug

2009-04-24T05:19:00.000-07:00

The bug fits right in at the Commissary

2009-04-24T05:18:00.000-07:00

Southern Insurance -Thanks for the business.

2009-04-24T05:17:00.000-07:00

Sorry Mom- but when I get home you better watch out!!

2009-04-24T05:15:00.000-07:00

Two days on the road and 4 more to go- these baby wipes will come in handy. Thanks Lucky.

2009-04-24T05:13:00.000-07:00

One of my favorite traditions. Even though John makes fun of me for it- I like to feel the water of any major body of water. This is the Arkansas River.

2009-04-24T05:10:00.000-07:00

A wonderful dinner with Burnett Insurance at Capers in Little Rock, AR.

2009-04-24T05:09:00.000-07:00

This was Johns attempt to take a picture of the Arkansas state line sign and the Mississppi River.

2009-04-24T05:07:00.000-07:00

The friendly folks at Clay and Land. From left- Donna, Peggy, Lynda and Jo

2009-04-24T05:04:00.000-07:00

Our meeting at the Commisssary was more than productive.

2009-04-24T05:02:00.000-07:00

Peter and Bird join us for quite a lunch at Germantown Commissary.

2009-04-24T04:59:00.000-07:00

Finally, after 25 years John makes a visit to Clay and Land in Memphis.

2009-04-22T20:39:00.000-07:00

Nashville skyline

2009-04-22T20:38:00.000-07:00

This could cause some problems with our scheduling.

2009-04-22T20:37:00.000-07:00

We left North Carolina around 2 PM- right on schedule.

2009-04-22T20:32:00.000-07:00

We had dinner in Nashville, TN with the Thomas Wilson Group. Wonderful restaurant- www.jimmykellys.com I highly recommend it. Todd, Cherie and Cindy were kind enough to give us a couple flowers to mount in the bug. Thanks.

2009-04-22T20:28:00.000-07:00

Another binder

2009-04-22T20:26:00.000-07:00

Ed Jr, Billy and Patti Timmermann met us at Tanglewood Park in Clemmons, NC.

2009-04-22T20:24:00.000-07:00

2009-04-22T20:22:00.000-07:00

We were fortunate enough to sit at the table with the TV antenna.

2009-04-22T20:21:00.000-07:00

Christine and Diane met us at the Country Kitchen for a good home cooked meal.

2009-04-22T20:07:00.000-07:00

B&H gives us our first binder of the trip. Thank You!!!

B&H Insurance

2009-04-22T20:05:00.000-07:00

B&H meets us at Starbucks in Winston-Salem.

Canal Culinary Review

2009-04-22T14:10:00.000-07:00

From the moment we pulled up to the County Kitchen fine dining establishment just outside of Asheville, NC and spotted the fantastic lawn decorations (John Love sitting on a ceramic cow) we knew this was just the place for us. Good thing John was sitting on the cow and not the VW because his shirt matched the car perfectly! He would have blended right in. The County Kitchen was a quaint, cluttered, and um……….interesting……….. establishment that didn’t quite know what to do with the likes of us initially, however, it didn’t take long for us to feel right at home.
And now for our anticipated culinary review:
Décor: Grandma’s kitchen meets community garage sale
Service: "Grandma and Grandpa, please don’t fight! Christine only wanted to know what was on her salad."
Clientele: Darryl, Darryl and his other brother Darryl
Food: Good Southern home cooking. Had to be vigilant of bones in the pinto beans, and the cornbread……well, get the Texas toast if you choose to visit. Aside from that and a little salt, everything was great – especially the company!!!! (Oh, and yes Diane, the bones were from the pork in the beans – DUH!!)

Thanks John and Eric for the great culinary experience! But most of all, thanks for including us in your journey – we appreciate all you do!!
Safe travels,
Christine Posner and Diane Elftmann

IT WAS JUST A PAIR OF SUNGLASSES

2009-04-22T08:42:00.000-07:00

For the last twenty years I have heard that statement over and over again. When I was a much less experienced and much younger insurance man, I went to an insurance convention. Now the convention was not all work and no play! One afternoon I played in a golf outing. I was paired up in a cart with a fellow that I had never met. His name was John Love. I had been told that he was a pretty good golfer and I welcomed the challenge. After playing several holes, I was really getting tired. It really wears a person out when he has to carry dead weight around i.e. John Love. After putting out on one hole I walked back to the golf cart. John was already seated when I slid onto my seat. Something was missing! I could not find my sunglasses. It was bright sunny day and I needed protection for my sensitive blue eyes. Us low handicappers play with sunglasses until we get to the green, then we take them off to line up our putts and hole out. Now my day was ruined. The bright sun made my eyes water and I could not concentrate on my game. Well, John stood up to help me find the missing item. He looked at me and asked if I was crying. I told him NO and explained about my blue eyes. He laughed! I then looked down in his seat and saw an awful sight. There, mashed flat by John's big butt, were the remains of my eye protections. John continued to laugh and through the laughter he uttered his poignant statement "IT WAS JUST A PAIR OF SUNGLASSES."
Well my spot on game fell apart and if my memory serves me correctly, John may have beat me by a stroke or two. He rehashed the story at the club house and added insult to injury by saying he had smashed a cheap pair of RiteAid glasses. He has never acknowledged that he sat on my Ray-Bans.
Two decades have passed and I still hear him tell the story to anyone that will listen. I guess John figured that he would really get the final laugh when my son, Brian, graduated from high school. Would you like to guess what John gave Brian as a graduation gift?
Yep, a pair of Ray-Ban sunglasses!!
By Sandy Jackson President, Agents Insurance Market Richmond Va.

Jim Spencer supports Bugginforbusiness

2009-04-22T08:41:00.000-07:00

John Black supports BugginforBusiness

2009-04-22T08:25:00.001-07:00

Employees Support

2009-04-22T08:12:00.000-07:00

Employees Beverly Douglas,Toni Fogleman, Sandra Moore enjoy a lunch of Hot dogs,fries and Iced Tea from Zacks ,a family owned business in the heart of Burlington NC.

Employees Support

2009-04-22T08:09:00.000-07:00

Employees Tena Clark and Christy Weir enjoy lunch at Zacks to support the Buggin for Business Journey

Send off Lunch at Zacks

2009-04-22T08:08:00.000-07:00

Tuesday @ Zack's As a prelude to the "Bugging" tour, seven employees, Beverly Douglas, Tena Clark, Sandra Moore, Christy Weir, Toni Fogleman, Jim Spencer and John Black rushed down to Zack's Hot Dogs in downtown Burlington (the starting point of the "Bugging " tour) to have a send off meal in Eric and John's honor. The opportunity to eat @ Zack's always brings a flood of great old memories. The old Zack's building,long since gone, hot dogs after school, grabbing a bag of dogs to take back to college (which somehow never made it past the county line). It's the one place that anyone who has strayed from Burlington for more than a month will go to on their return to Burlington. Its uncanny, many (my brother for example) actually stop there first before going back to their childhood home. From governor's to the man or woman about town you can not drive past Burlington without a quick stop for the best dog in the south. As you can see the only way to overcome a Zackattack is to surrender. John and Eric have a safe journey and tell Maggie we miss her.

B & H Insurance Services - Twenty Years to Find Humor

2009-04-22T08:03:00.000-07:00

It has been twenty years since I talked to Dub Love about getting in the insurance business and having my own agency. Having known Dub for some time prior to this, he did not hesitate to help. For this, I will always (at least most of the time) be thankful.

Dub knew I would need help and said Joe Simnor could handle that task. I can tell you for sure Dub knew what he was doing. Joe was a great insurance individual, and excellent teacher and became a good friend to all of us at B & H.

I knew I had a lot to learn and Joe was always there to steer me in the right direction. After a while I became to appreciate his patience and understanding. When I had a problem, I could always turn to Joe for help. I will never forget the time early on when we lost the largest account we had, an account that represented over fifty per cent of our book of business. On the way back to the office I pulled over to the side of the road thinking we were not going to make it in this business. So, I called Joe and began to unload on him.

It was that conversation on the side of the road that has helped me many times over the past twenty years. When Joe first began to laugh, I did not share any of his humor. I am thankful today that I can share some of the humor Joe must have had at that time.
By: Harry Grubbs

2009-04-22T07:56:00.000-07:00

Supporters meet at Zacks for Breakfast before John and Eric leave on their journey.

Pictured left to right: Larue sox,Tommy Sox,Eric Hicks,Chris Huneycutt (Transure Ins.),John Love,Bob Gunn (Transure Ins.)

Breakfast Before "Buggin for Business" starts

2009-04-22T07:51:00.001-07:00

Supporters meet at Zacks for Breakfast before wishing John and Eric a fond so long as they journey across the country.
Pictured left to right : Hamilton Baird, Larue Sox,Tommy Sox

Transure comes to BugginforBusiness Sendoff

2009-04-22T06:43:00.000-07:00

Transure comes to wish John and Eric a safe journey as they leave from Zacks this morning.
Pictured Left to right : Bob Gunn,Zack Touloupas,John Love,Eric Hicks,Chris Huneycutt

Birds Bless the BugginforBusiness Event

2009-04-22T06:23:00.001-07:00

As you can see Birds have blessed the new VW Bug before the adventure starts.

Buggin for Business Sendoff

2009-04-22T06:19:00.001-07:00

The bugginforbusiness started today at 6:45am with a breakfast at Zacks a fond so long and safe journey to John and Eric.

Timmerman Story

2009-04-22T06:12:00.000-07:00

Ed Timmermann was a great lover of ketchup....but not just any ketchup. Ed was born and raised in Pittsburg, PA and was fanatically loyal to his Heinz ketchup. If it wasn't Heinz ketchup, it belonged in the trash. On his many trips to London he would carry a bottle of his favorite ketchup with him and should anyone dare to ask why, he would turn the bottle around to show exactly WHERE it had been made and bottled! If a restuarant dared to keep the Heinz bottles and fill them with inferior ketchup, not only would he immediately notice the difference, he would take the manager aside and patiently explain why this was a complete disgrace to everything culinary.
The story that stands out in our minds is a dinner we had with the folks at Carolina Insurance Service at the Steak and Ale in Winston-Salem. As we ate our meal, we all joked with Ed because he annoited even the finest steak with ketchup. For dessert Ed ordered a lovely piece of cheesecake. Karen Giles ,unable to resist, dared Ed to put ketchup on it and eat every last bite. Being the trooper that he was, he ate every bite with gusto as we all watched in disbelief. Later he told us that it was the worst thing he had ever eaten but he wasn't going to let anyone know!submitted by Ed Timmerman Jr.

2009-04-14T07:05:00.000-07:00

Before the trip- Everyone is all smiles, Bug is shiny

Trip Itenary

2009-04-13T08:49:00.000-07:00

Wednesday, April 22nd
Burlington, NC to Nashville, TN
Thursday, April 23rd
Nashville, TN to Little Rock, AR
Friday, April 24th
Little Rock, AR to Amarillo, TX
Saturday, April 25th
Amarillo, TX to Gallup, NM
Sunday, April 26th
Gallup, NM to Kingman,AZ
Monday, April 27th
Kingman, AZ to Cerritos, CA